Legal Officer at Rapid Action Aid Initiative (RAAI)

Contract Duration: 3 months with possibility of extension

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

RAAI is looking for Legal Officer to join the team in Yobe who will support the GBV core project response in Jakusco and Gashua. The Assistant Officer assists the Office in providing quality, timely and effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern. S/he is also required to assist the office in ensuring that persons of concern are involved with the Office in making decisions that affect them, whether in accessing their rights or in identifying appropriate solutions to their problems. To achieve this, the incumbent will need to build and maintain effective interfaces with communities of concern and authorities as well as protection and assistance with partners.

Under the supervision of the GBV program Officer and in consultation with the GBV Coordinator and Project Manager Protection Unit, the successful candidate will provide support to the management to ensure an effective protection and legal assistance strategy is deployed for persons of concerns on both islands.

Accountability

• Promotion of protection principles and international law as relevant to persons of concern is undertaken.
• Assistance is provided in preparing legal advice and guidance.
• Responsibility (process and functions undertaken to achieve results)
• Monitor the development of law and doctrine.
• Contribute to advocacy efforts towards proper interpretation of law and doctrine as well as in the development of standards of protection.
• Support with survivor centered need for legal counsel and represent Survivor in the court of law as legal free aid.
• Engage with Government and non-governmental stakeholders in advocacy efforts as well as provision of legal advice and assistance.
• Assist in development and implementation of the legal assistance projects on both islands.
• Assist in the preparation of legal advice and drafting of position papers and guidelines on pertinent legal and operational issues.
• Facilitate and support training and other capacity-development activities particularly in area of protection of relevant authorities in various ministries and other relevant stakeholders.
• Promote awareness and understanding of relevant International, Regional and National Laws for refugees and asylum seekers;
• Provide inputs to the formulation of protection strategies.
• Support in any other activities identified.

Authority

• Participate in meetings within UNHCR and with external counterparts at the relevant level.
• Contribute to draft protection documents and policies in cooperation with supervisor.
• Assist in the development of project proposals and project implementation.

Key Competencies:

• Strategic Planning and vision 
• Analytical Thinking
• Planning and Organizing
• Policy Development and Research
• Political Awareness

Other required competencies:

• Good computer skills (MS office and People soft applications).
• Fluency in Dutch, English, and Spanish is required.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including strong legal drafting skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, as well as within a team;
• Good time management skills;

Desirable competencies:

• Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of the position.

Education:

• Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) in Law, licenses of practices (CALL to BAR)   preferably with focus on human rights, refugee law and/or international humanitarian law. Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master’s) or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) may also be accepted.
• Excellent knowledge of English, Hausa,

Work Experience:

• Minimum 3 years of previous job experience relevant to the function. A combination of equivalent years of advanced education and experience will also be considered